Second in the series, "The Christian Life."

Text: Isaiah 56:7 "I will bring these people to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer."

Introduction: There are a thousand types of Christian lives that we could pattern ourselves after, but would these please God. There are certain requirements for Christian living before our life will be pleasing to God. This does not mean that if you are not living up to these standards you will not go to heaven. What it does mean is that you will be missing out on part of the rich full life of Jesus Christ in you.

1. A Christian Life That Pleases God Is One That Loves To Visit The Place of God's Presence.

   David Teaches Us In The Psalms About Where the Presence of God is Located.

   David said in Psalm 26:8, "I love the house where you live, O Lord, the place where your glory dwells." In David's day this was the Tabernacle. The Ark of God was there filled with the presence and glory of God.

   Psalm 27:4, "One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple."

   Isaiah 56:7, "I will bring these people to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer."

2. A Christian Life That Pleases God is One That Lives An Examplory Life.

   David Turned His Mistakes Into Godly Living.

   Psalm 26:11, "But I (David) lead a blameless life, redeem me and be merciful to me.

   Advice from the Apostle Paul. Philippians 2:12-16, "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing."

3. A Christian Life That Pleases God is One That Loves To Know God Personally.

   What Do We Mean by "to know God personally?"

   To know means to: discern, recognize, understand. It is possible to know much about God, but still not know God. An example of what it means to know God: Paul prayed for the Ephesians.

   Ephesians 3:16-20, "That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit (o. pneuma) in the inner man;

   Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that all of you, being rooted and grounded in love, (o. agape)

   Eph 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

   Eph 3:19 And to know the love (o. agape) of Christ, which passes knowledge, that all of you might be filled with all the fullness of God.

   Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,"

4. A Christian Life That Pleases God is One That Grows The Fruit of the Spirit, and Shares It With Others.

   Jesus Was Concerned That We Grow The Right Kind Of Fruit.

   Matthew 7:17 Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit.

   Mt 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

   Mt 7:19 Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

   Mt 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits all of you shall know them.

   Mt 7:21 Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.

   Mt 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works?

   Mt 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, all of you that work iniquity.

   Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit (o. pneuma) is love, (o. agape) joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

   Ga 5:23 Meekness, willful restrain (self control): against such there is no law.

Conclusion: Only you really know if your life is pleasing to God or not. One lesson I learned many years ago is that there is always room for improvement in my Christian Life. I will keep on striving for improvement until I step into the presence of God on that wonderful day. Please join me in looking for improvement in your life also.